Teenage student-journalist, Charlie Chambers, pieces together the clues of a vicious double-homicide in the summer of 1995. Friends and loved ones of the deceased struggle to make sense of their new, grief-stricken reality.

Detective Darlene Grasso begins her investigation into the murders of Chrissy Monroe and Steve Carpenter. Aided by Charlie’s discovery, she zeros in on one suspect, in particular: Brad Kirchoff, Chrissy’s boyfriend.

Charlie convinces the newspaper editor, Mr. Bouque, to let him write about the murder. A conversation between Charlie and Becky in the woods rekindles their spark of connection. The killer dials Chrissy’s private line.

The students of Colfax High partake in the homecoming dance while Detective Grasso interrogates Casper Tatum.

Casper finally realizes the identity of his secret crush, Becky Monroe, is the sister of a girl everyone thinks he murdered. A late-night encounter in the newspaper room provides Charlie with the scoop of his young career.

After Charlie’s article in the school paper exonerates Casper, an unlikely romance blossoms between the town bad boy and Becky Monroe.

Becky shares an intimate secret with Casper during a long walk home as Brad secretly plots his revenge. A flyer to a mysterious party is delivered in everyone’s lockers overnight. Charlie and Berlice’s relationship intensifies as the party begins.

Brad and Casper get into a bloody and vicious brawl at a Halloween party. After Brad is left clinging to life, Casper has no choice but to flee town.

Becky reemerges from her self-imposed exile to borrow books from Charlie. Their renewed friendship gets in the way of the young scribe’s relationship with Berlice.

Just as Colfax is finally beginning to heal, another murder shakes the city to its core. Years later, adult Charlie mulls over what it all meant at his high school reunion.